Transcript Highlights:

• It is the review of an EBD contract with Boston Consulting Group. This is a contract for $280,000.
• So with that, I need a motion to review the contract. I have a second.

Committee: All ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee met to review and approve several Employee Benefits Division (EBD) and pharmacy formulary actions. Grant Wallace, director of EBD and the Office of Property Risk, presented a $280,000 Boston Consulting Group contract to help develop the third-party administration RFP, and the committee approved it. The committee also approved the December 2025, January 2026, and February 2026 pharmacy formulary recommendations, along with February 2026 medical drug recommendations. The formulary changes focused on removing prior authorization for injectable migraine CGRPs, replacing a discontinued capsule with a tablet, updating items for FDA guidance, and leaving some drugs not covered when lower-cost alternatives or insufficient efficacy data existed. For February 2026, EBD recommended removing Skyrizi and Renvoke in favor of lower-cost biosimilars and other alternatives, re-tiering several drugs to encourage generics, adding an anti-seizure medication developed by the Department of Defense, and adding a subcutaneous version of Keytruda for faster administration. The medical drug list similarly shifted toward biosimilars and aligned coverage for Skyrizi and Renvoke across pharmacy and medical settings. Members raised broader questions about the impact of new pharmaceutical discount programs such as Trump RX and Mark Cuban Cost Plus, as well as concerns about PBM compliance and whether Navitus might be violating state law or paying affiliate pharmacies more than independent pharmacies. Wallace said the new programs and their effects were still being studied, that EBD was working with Navitus to evaluate pricing opportunities, and that Navitus had said it was in compliance with Rule 118, though additional research and auditing were underway. All items were approved by voice vote, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why would we interfere with the contract that was negotiated at arm's length?
• WHY WOULD WE INTERFERE WITH THE CONTRACT THAT WAS NEGOTIATED AT ARM'S LENGTH.
• We ask a judge to actually make a decision on honoring the contract that was signed.
• Contracts mean something, and they have to continue to mean something here.
• CONTRACTS MEAN SOMETHING AND THEY HAVE TO CONTINUE TO MEAN SOMETHING HERE.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then processed a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate or Assembly versions for third reading. The chamber also adopted the resolution calendar with exceptions and took up several resolutions and ceremonial recognitions, including a resolution mourning Hudson Talbott, a Dairy Month resolution highlighting New York’s dairy industry, and introductions honoring Niskayuna academic teams, Gabriella Scheer for receiving the Liberty Medal, the Hartstein family’s civic engagement, and Diana Cochran’s advocacy for safe firearm storage. The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed many bills on topics including insurance, public health, education, labor, social services, banking, local government, veterans, public service, consumer protection, criminal procedure, cannabis, parks, taxation, election law, and highway matters. Several members explained votes on notable measures: support for acupuncture insurance coverage, consumer protections for doorbell-camera data sharing, expanded protections in debt collection cases, trauma-informed procedures for sexual assault survivors, a Legionnaires’ disease awareness program, changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, and universal safe storage of firearms. A number of home rule and local authorization bills were also approved, including parkland alienation measures and local tax exemption authorizations. Most measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew recorded opposition. Notable roll calls included the consumer debt uniformity bill, the mandatory minimum sentencing bill, the safe storage/firearms bill, and the public housing and public health measures, each with more divided votes. The chamber also accepted a lengthy Rules Committee report sending many additional bills directly to third reading, and then began the supplemental calendar, passing at least the first items before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• It brings non-Medi-Cal, non-county-contracted providers into a unified data reporting structure, using
• Again, most, you know, it ranges from platforms to direct panels that you contract with.
• Today, plan delegate contracts include pathways for dispute resolution processes.
• Moving those disputes to the state places DHCS in the role of arbitrator of private contracts, something
• that is not historically DHCS in the role of arbitrator of private contracts, something that has not

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health-related bills, with most items presented for later vote once quorum was reached. Early in the hearing, the committee adopted a consent calendar of multiple bills with motions for due pass to Appropriations, and it noted that AB 2029 had been pulled from the agenda. The committee also took up AB 1973, a bill by Aguiar-Curry to expand who may provide procedural abortion care. Supporters, including physicians and certified nurse midwives, argued the bill would align law with current training and improve access, while opponents said later-term abortion procedures require physician-level surgical training and raised safety concerns. The author emphasized hands-on training, consultation, and transfer protocols, and the bill was held pending quorum with a motion and second recorded. The committee then heard AB 1558 by Arambula, which would adopt the Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act to speed the use of out-of-state licensed volunteers during declared disasters. Supporters from the Uniform Law Commission and the Red Cross said the bill would reduce delays and clarify legal authority for volunteer health workers; there was no opposition testimony. AB 2282 by Alanis, a temporary rural emergency stabilization center for Patterson while a permanent hospital is built, drew support from local emergency responders and a late opposition from the California chapter of ACEP. The chair praised the bill as a creative local solution and agreed to coauthor it; a motion and second were recorded, with the vote to occur later. Several public health access bills followed. AB 1843 by El-Hawari would limit prior authorization and align hepatitis C treatment coverage with medical guidelines; supporters said it would remove barriers to a curable disease, while health plans opposed it as a mandate, citing premium impacts and the recent SB 306 prior-authorization process. AB 2247 by El-Hawari would create the THRIVE program for mental health services for youth affected by gun violence; Youth Alive and other supporters described trauma-informed, community-based care, and the chair and another member asked to be added as coauthors. AB 2138 by Krell would expand access to certified peer support specialists in enhanced care management and remove automatic disqualifications based solely on criminal history; supporters said peers are essential to engagement and recovery, and the bill was held with a motion and second. Later, AB 1682 by Hart would require coverage of scalp cooling for chemotherapy patients, with emotional testimony from cancer survivors and clinicians; insurers opposed it as another mandate, but the author stressed the modest per-member cost and the bill was moved with a motion and second. AB 1879 by Dixon would standardize data reporting for alcohol and drug treatment facilities, including private providers, to improve statewide information on outcomes and access; the bill drew broad support from recovery organizations and the prior opposition was withdrawn after amendments. AB 1906 by Aguiar-Curry would require coverage of at-home cervical cancer screening kits without cost sharing; supporters cited improved access for rural and working Californians, insurers opposed it on affordability grounds, and the bill passed on a recorded roll call after quorum was established. Finally, AB 1556 by Haney would clarify and support drug-free recovery housing and return-to-use policies; supporters said it would expand sober housing options, while opponents warned it could allow evictions after relapse and conflict with Housing First principles. The hearing ended with the bill still under discussion and opposition-unless-amended concerns noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they shared that either it can be through a contract with the developer, who will no longer be a
• contract law has well-established enforcement mechanisms.
• contract law has well-established enforcement mechanisms.
• </c> they would be a party to the contract they would be a party to the contract and<00:45:39.480><c>
• has well-established contract law has well-established enforcement<00:45:43.440><c> mechanisms.

Bills: HF2614 , HF3587 , HF3589 , HF3588

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: homeowners associations, local government, building permits, housing policy, residential development, voter access, polling place, elections, ballot, unexpected needs, election judge, public information, political parties, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, the concern is that, you know, with the proliferation of the contract pharmacies, there are so
• So the question is whether a patient that does come to a contract pharmacy to purchase a drug is really
• pharmacies in Hawaii right now, but nationally, since 2010, you went from 2,000 contract pharmacies
• So, from what I understand, there are about 1,400 contract pharmacies in Hawaii and roughly just under
• pharmacy is saying in where the contract pharmacy is saying in Kansas<00:34:25.679><c> City.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 302, which would expand access to medical cannabis by removing the in-person provider-patient relationship requirement and related restrictions. The Department of Health supported the bill, and multiple advocates and organizations testified in support, including the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Cannabis Reform, Marijuana Policy Project, and others. Supporters said the measure would improve access for patients, especially on outer islands, and some urged broader amendments allowing providers to certify cannabis for any medical condition and to speed registration and treat in-state and out-of-state patients equally. No opposition was heard, and the bill was left with no questions after testimony. The committee also heard HB 1052 HD1, which clarifies that the Public Utilities Commission may use universal service fund monies to provide free telecommunications access for individuals with print disabilities. Testimony was uniformly supportive from the DCCA Division of Consumer Advocacy, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Human Services, the Public Utilities Commission, and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii. Witnesses described the program as an important accessibility service that has been operating under prior appropriations and should continue under the universal service program. HB 1482, relating to controlled substances and hemp/synthetic cannabinoids, drew support from the Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Health, Honolulu Police Department, and others, with some comments from the Attorney General’s office. Supporters said the bill would clarify that delta-8 THC is a controlled substance and help enforcement against illegal hemp products and synthetic cannabinoids. Testimony and questioning focused on the need for better lab testing capacity, retail registry and age-gating, seizure authority, nuisance abatement, and possible use of special funds or appropriations to support enforcement. Members also discussed enforcement of illegal hemp businesses and whether additional funding or statutory changes would be needed. Finally, the committee took up HB 712, a 340B drug-discount measure affecting safety-net providers and contract pharmacies. Hospitals, health centers, and provider groups testified in support, saying the bill would protect access to discounted drugs and preserve funding for services such as chronic disease management, transportation, and specialty care. Pharmaceutical-industry representatives opposed the bill or sought amendments, arguing the 340B program has expanded beyond its original intent and lacks transparency, and they requested reporting or audit-like provisions to verify claims and revenues. Members questioned both sides about alleged abuse, the growth of contract pharmacies, and whether the bill should include transparency requirements before moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can the state break that contract with that town?
• These are signed contracts between a These are signed contracts between a town<01:09:10.880><c> and</
• My break that contract with that town?
• And we didn't want to upend the terms of that contract midterm.
• And we didn't want to upend the terms of that contract midterm.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 302, which would allow the state treasurer to invest public funds in precious metals and digital assets. The sponsor was not present, so Representative Urs introduced the bill briefly and said he did not know much about it. No one from the Treasury Department testified, and members repeatedly noted the treasurer’s absence. Susan Elme testified against the bill, arguing that these investments are highly volatile and contrary to the treasury’s duty to remain stable and liquid. She said the bill should be killed. In questioning, she estimated the 5% cap in the bill would amount to roughly $10 million, depending on available funds, and said such investing would be more appropriate for an individual day trader than for the state treasury. Members also discussed prior legislative experience with Bitcoin-related proposals and raised concerns about whether the treasury had the staff expertise to manage commodity or digital asset investing. The committee did not take a final vote; instead, it agreed to hold a work session and seek additional information from the treasurer, with a plan to revisit the bill on April 1.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our last contract that we negotiated increased spending by $30 million for State University faculty.
• Uh, that was our largest contract ever.
• :48:24.400><c> increased</c> contract that we negotiated increased contract that we negotiated increased
• So that makes largest contract ever.
• So, uh, the last five IFO contracts, uh, contingent faculty are paid a per-credit income versus, uh,

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• number 2699, third reading of Senate Bill 2442, Senate Draft 1, relating to purchase of service contracts
• ><c> service</c> draft 1 relating to purchase of service draft 1 relating to purchase of service contracts
• </c> contracts by the judiciary. contracts by the judiciary.

Bills: HB9 , SB2069 , SB2342 , SB2861 , SB3123 , SB2623 , SB585 , SB2211 , SB2446 , SB2919 , SB2125 , SB2116 , SB2999 , SB2656 , SB2001 , SB3169

Keywords: HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, SB2069, Hawaii housing

Transcript Highlights:

• He sponsored legislation strengthening medical benefits for firefighters who contract cancer in the line
• to be provided notice that the lands are former phosphate lands before any execution of a sales contract
• You will get a report that says your land, the land that you have under contract and that you are thinking
• of buying, is subject... ...that says your land, the land that you have under contract and that you

Summary: The State Affairs Committee opened with a tribute to the late Representative Joe Casello, with remarks from the chair and Ranking Member Eskamani honoring his service, especially his advocacy for first responders, veterans, and working people. The committee then turned to its only bill, HB 167, which would remove strict liability for certain previously mined phosphate lands if the landowner notifies the county and requests a Department of Health radiation survey. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create a voluntary process, add data about the land, and provide notice through the public record and title process. Members asked extensive questions about who pays for the surveys, how notice would reach future buyers, whether the bill affects renters or construction workers, and whether it would impact pending lawsuits. The sponsor said the landowner would pay for the survey needed to remove strict liability, plaintiffs would pay for surveys in litigation, the bill does not address OSHA or rental disclosures, and it would not apply retroactively to current cases because the complaint must include a survey. Supporters argued the bill simply replaces automatic liability with recorded notice and due diligence, while opponents said it could leave families and renters without adequate warning and should include stronger disclosure protections. Public testimony was in support from the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Florida, and one individual. After debate, the committee voted 18-8 to report HB 167 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not have a contract with them.
• But yes, there was an agreement or contract at some point. agreement or contract at some point once it
• We terminated that contract. So now, as a result, we are moving into this new system process.

Bills: HB479 , HB480

Committee: House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections

Keywords: voting, elections, voter registration, voter rolls, list maintenance, address change, change of address, ERIC, Electronic Registration Information Center, AVID, Alabama Voter Integrity Database, Secretary of State, board of registrars, inactive voter, voter purge, duplicate registration, cross-state voter matching, National Change of Address, NCOA, driver license data

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm governmental contracts with the Chinese companies for certain information communications technology
• They should be 2409 by cane ruling for the prohibition on government contracts with Chinese companies
• Government Efficiency, HB 2460 by Harris, relating to the right of a purchase of determining. a contract
• to the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, HB 2583 by whole. to a group benefit plan policy or contract

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are on Medicaid, once they are assigned to the Medicaid managed care plan, each of them have their contract
• services, and currently for the 0-36 months, the problem is that some of them have gone into a new contract
• their question is, you know, what happens with those individuals who have just entered into a new contract
• And these services will be covered under the new contracts, whatever.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, doctor-of-the-day recognition, and a series of introductions honoring visitors and groups in the galleries, including Moffitt Cancer Center, students from Lakeland Christian School, space industry guests, Kappa Alpha Psi, the Florida Association of Licensed Investigators, and others. Senators also made announcements about local delegations visiting the Capitol and a session wellness competition. The chamber then took up CS/CS/SB 112, relating to children with developmental disabilities. Senator Harrell presented the bill as a major autism-focused measure that would expand screening and referral grants, extend Early Steps services through age four with a federal waiver, designate the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment as a statewide hub for research and coordination, create grants for autism-focused summer programs and charter school models, and establish a microcredential for workers who serve children with autism. Senators Davis, Jones, Osgood, Duma, Wright, and others supported the bill while raising concerns about provider shortages, Medicaid managed care coverage, the need for better recruitment incentives, and the importance of research into causes and treatments. Harrell responded that services would be covered under new contracts, Medicaid would provide coverage, the University of Florida would develop the online credential with a stipend incentive, and the bill was a first step in a broader effort that should also address adults on the spectrum. The Senate passed CS/CS/SB 112 unanimously, 38-0, and then adopted a motion to immediately certify the bill to the House. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 1856 by publication, honoring the life and legacy of Senator Geraldine Thompson, with 38 co-introducers recorded. In addition, SB 1324 by Senator Simon was withdrawn from further consideration, and the Senate adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• rules to take up and consider a HR 176, recognizing the outstanding work of the regional Hispanic contract
• commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association on the occasion of Contract
• Hispanic Contract Association leaders in the gallery, and I'd like for them to stand if they have a moment
• Members, the regional Hispanic contract Association was established in 1995 and has dedicated itself

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SBA's small business contracting programs help connect eligible small businesses with federal Eligible
• small businesses with federal contracting opportunities and programs, such as the women-owned small
• veterans-owned small business program, help ensure that small businesses can compete for federal contracts
• And I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 8879 to ensure small business contracting programs
• For shifting, a 2,000-foot concrete pad naturally expands and contracts like an accordion in freezing

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a state government bill about government contracts.
• This is a bill that also relates to state government as this one does and talks about contracting and
• Um and I think that the contracts.
• </c><00:14:37.600><c> and</c> does and talks about uh contracting and does and talks about uh contracting
• That's all this government contracts. That's all this bill<00:31:22.960><c> does.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, there are changes to council services that are made possible from the freeing of contracted
• We would contract some of the council's high-subsidy bus routes. That would save 7.4 million.
• </c><00:46:10.480><c> We</c><00:46:10.680><c> would</c> of contracted capacity.
• We would of contracted capacity.
• ><c> council's</c><00:46:12.320><c> high</c> contract some of the council's high contract some of the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• How much is contracted out versus done by in-house staff?
• </c><00:08:35.519><c> How</c><00:08:35.760><c> much</c><00:08:36.000><c> is</c> portion is contracted
• How much is portion is contracted out.
• How much is contracted<00:08:36.800><c> out</c><00:08:37.039><c> versus</c><00:08:37.360><c> done</c>
• <00:08:37.680><c> by</c><00:08:37.839><c> in-house</c> contracted out versus done by in-house contracted

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• page two of the House amended version, in sections four and five, you talk about any third-party contracted
• Any medical or mental health professional, it says here employed or contracted.
• Nurses are covered by generally most union contracts as an educator in the teacher side of a union, the
• contracted in any medical<00:03:36.799><c> or</c><00:03:37.440><c> mental</c><00:03:37.760><c> health
• So that medical or mental contracted.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee of conference spent most of its time on Senate Bill 96, which deals with educator conduct and when information may be withheld from parents. The main dispute was over the House-amended language on violations and the “compelling state interest” standard. The Senate sponsor objected to extending penalties to third-party medical or mental health contractors and to language suggesting psychological or emotional injury to a child would not constitute a compelling state interest. The House side argued its draft was intended to keep the bill focused on credentialed educators and administrators, to include parents or guardians, and to avoid creating competing standards by relying on existing abuse definitions in statute. The House also added a requirement that any withholding of information be documented and reported to the school board in nonpublic session, and both sides discussed whether educators, administrators, nurses, and guidance counselors would be covered under the statutory definition of educator. The discussion also covered enforcement and penalties. The House draft proposed that an educator found to have willfully violated the law could have a credential suspended for a first offense and would face a minimum one-year suspension for multiple offenses, while the Senate raised concerns that this was too rigid and did not allow enough discretion or address revocation. The House later explained that the department would still have discretion on first offenses and that the one-year rule applied only to multiple offenses. Another point of disagreement was a three-year statute of limitations for investigations, which the House said was meant to prevent “witch hunts,” while the Senate noted New Hampshire’s constitutional prohibition on retroactive laws. After caucusing, the Senate rejected the House amendment, and the House then voted non-concur; the committee of conference adjourned without agreement. The transcript then moved to Senate Bill 87, concerning one-day liquor license requirements and allowing salons and barber shops to obtain on-premise licenses. The members discussed a House amendment that would allow two drinks instead of one, with supporters saying the change reflected the longer time customers may spend in salons and that alcohol service would still be covered by existing training requirements, including the EDGE course. Opponents worried that allowing multiple drinks would create over-serving and enforcement problems and could complicate business practices. After discussion, the Senate member agreed to go along with the House position, and the bill was reported ready for final sign-off.

Transcript Highlights:

• For veterans with service-connected disabilities when they are proposing on state government contracts
• And so for services contracts, obviously those aren't just price.
• Leslie Pittman: For the record, we were awarded the contract in May of 2024. Okay.
• And again, we were awarded the contract by the Board of Examiners in May of 2024.
• ...award of that contract was just for that pilot program.

Bills: AB6 , AB102 , AB131 , AB212 , AB213 , AB220 , AB259 , AB282 , AB376 , AB396 , AB479 , AB503 , AB570 , AB572 , AB574 , AB576 , AB593 , SB185 , SB207 , SB507 , AB6

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, FASD, prenatal alcohol exposure, children's health, developmental disability, early intervention, treatment assistance, Aging and Disability Services Division, Department of Health and Human Services, Autism Treatment Assistance Program, public health, parent education, evidence-based treatment, Nevada NRS 427A, disability services, behavioral health, emergency medical services, ambulance, licensing, health district

Transcript Highlights:

• That contract would not be breached by the change of a school to a charter school.
• Their contract is with the school district, not with the charter school.
• So their contract would continue as their contract is. [00:15:25.000] Their contract is with the school
• So their contract would continue as their contract is between the teachers through their union with the
• Here's the first rule of contract law also. You can never make another man your debtor.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The committee heard and acted on a long agenda of local, housing, education, construction, and claims bills. It first took up SB 1730 on affordable housing/Live Local changes, adopting an amendment that narrowed and clarified several provisions, including density, height, parking, attorney fees, and exclusions for certain protected areas, then reported the bill favorably. It also approved SB 1674, which clarifies that local investment restrictions cannot block Israel bonds, after a clarifying amendment. SB 140 on charter schools was reported favorably after significant debate over school conversion, teacher contracts, local control, and the use of surplus school property for housing or other public purposes; several speakers opposed it as harmful to public schools, while the sponsor said it preserved district authority and added options for municipalities and job creation. The committee also passed SB 96 and SB 4, two local claims bills, and SB 1714, which allows SHIP funds to help mobile home owners with lot rent and requires local housing plans to address mobile home park closures.